WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling Central has handled every early season test as the Maroon Knights entered the week unbeaten at 9-0.
It has been West Virginia signee Chase Harler again leading Wheeling Central, helping place his team as the favorite in Class A with a 71-59 win over defending champion Magnolia.
For Harler, a more relaxed approach has helped him get going offensively after playing tight early on.
“I had just signed (with WVU) and felt like I had to go out and score 40 or 50 points to prove a point,” Harler said. “But after that, I settled in and settled down, started trusting our sets and my teammates better. Through the last five games, I’ve had maybe three or four games with over 30 points.
“I really feel like I’m just letting the game come to me more,” Harler continued. “I know I am obviously going to be an emphasis on defense and I’m getting double-teamed. I’m definitely keeping my head up and looking for my teammates, but I also think that I’m playing some of my best basketball (right now).”
The 6-foot-3, 195 pound guard averaged 24.5 points per game last year for Wheeling Central, winning the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year as the Maroon Knights made it to the Class A championship game.
Since last year alone, Harler said he has added about 20 pounds, increasing his strength and ability to attack the rim.
“Last year, if someone bumps into me, I’m flying back and throwing up a crazy shot,” he said. “This year, I really feel like I’m playing through contact. That was definitely one of my emphasis in the offseason – put on some weight and get stronger. The stronger you feel, the more confident you are and everything else falls into place after that.”
Harler’s 32 point effort in a win over Union (Ohio) last month gave him the school’s all-time career scoring record, boys or girls. Harler’s also scored 38 points recently in an impressive 75-74 out-of-state win over Archbishop Wood.
“I’m a lot more confident and my ball-handling has definitely increased, so that I can create more for myself,” Harler said. “I’ve been limiting turnovers and I feel like I’m a lot better shooter (this year).”
And while Harler is focused on bringing another championship to Wheeling Central this year, he’s also prepping himself to play in West Virginia’s all-in defensive style of basketball.
“I take pride in my defense and I know they do that at WVU with the full-court press,” he said. “I’m getting into that mindset, trying to get up in people and taking a lot of pride in my defense. Defense comes with experience and I’m looking forward to the challenge and getting to (WVU) in the summer with open gyms.”
WHEELING CENTRAL CATHOLIC 2015-2016 Boys Basketball Schedule |
||||||
12/09/15 | H – | ST. CLAIRSVILLE (Ohio) |
60 | – | 57 | W |
12/12/15 | A – | LINSLY |
73 | – | 48 | W |
12/15/15 | H – | SHADYSIDE (Ohio) |
68 | – | 38 | W |
12/18/15 | H – | PADEN CITY |
82 | – | 45 | W |
12/26/15 | A – | UNION LOCAL (Ohio) |
67 | – | 53 | W |
12/29/15 | H – | MADONNA | 78 | – | 68 | W |
12/30/15 | H – | MAGNOLIA |
71 | – | 59 | W |
01/02/16 | H – | ARCHBISHOP WOOD (Pa.) |
75 | – | 74 | W |
01/09/16 | A – | MADONNA | 68 | – | 52 | W |
01/16/16 | H – | ST. JOHNS (Ohio) |
– | |||
01/20/16 | H – | NOTRE DAME | – | |||
01/21/16 | H – | LINSLY |
– | |||
01/23/16 | H – | CATHOLIC CENTRAL (Ohio) |
– | |||
01/27/16 | A – | ST. CLAIRSVILLE (Ohio) |
– | |||
01/28/16 | A – | BISHOP DONAHUE |
– | |||
01/30/16 | A – | MAGNOLIA HIGH |
– | |||
02/02/16 | A – | SHADYSIDE (Ohio) |
– | |||
02/05/16 | H – | CHARLESTON CATHOLIC | – | |||
02/06/16 | H – | PARKERSBURG CATHOLIC | – | |||
02/08/16 | H – | OVAC | – | |||
02/13/16 | A – | OVAC | – | |||
02/16/16 | A – | PADEN CITY |
– | |||
wins: 9 lost: 0 ties: 0 |